# Space Variable Objects Monitor

> French-Chinese small X-ray telescope satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16677669](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16677669)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Variable_Objects_Monitor)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-variable-objects-monitor

## Summary
The Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is a Franco-Chinese small X-ray telescope satellite designed to observe distant space objects, particularly gamma-ray bursts. Launched on June 22, 2024, aboard a Long March 2C rocket, the satellite operates in low Earth orbit with a designed service life of three years. It carries four scientific instruments and represents a collaborative effort between the People's Republic of China and France.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** June 22, 2024, at 07:00 (COSPAR ID: 2024-116A).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 2C (Flight Y50).
- **Launch Site:** Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
- **Mass:** 930 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit.
- **Operator:** National Space Science Center (Beijing, China).
- **Manufacturer:** Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites.
- **Design Life:** 3 years.
- **Payload:** ECLAIRs, Microchannel X-ray Telescope, Gamma Ray Burst Monitor, and Visible Telescope.
- **Power Source:** Two solar arrays.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM)?
A: SVOM is a space-based X-ray telescope developed jointly by France and China. Its primary mission is to detect and study gamma-ray bursts and other variable celestial objects.

### Q: When was SVOM launched?
A: The satellite was successfully launched on June 22, 2024, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.

### Q: What instruments does SVOM carry?
A: The satellite carries four main scientific instruments: the ECLAIRs, the Microchannel X-ray Telescope (MXT), the Gamma Ray Burst Monitor (GRBM), and the Visible Telescope (VT).

### Q: Which countries are responsible for the SVOM mission?
A: SVOM is a collaborative project between the People's Republic of China and France. It is operated by the National Space Science Center in Beijing.

## Why It Matters
The Space Variable Objects Monitor represents a significant milestone in international space cooperation, specifically between the People's Republic of China and France. As a dedicated X-ray telescope, it plays a crucial role in high-energy astrophysics by enabling the study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)—the most powerful explosions in the universe—which are key to understanding the life cycle of stars and the early universe.

By combining French and Chinese scientific expertise and industrial capabilities, exemplified by manufacturers like the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites and instruments developed by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales), SVOM enhances global capabilities for multi-wavelength observation. Its specific payload configuration allows for rapid detection and follow-up of transient phenomena, bridging the gap between space-based detection and ground-based observation. The mission not only advances scientific knowledge regarding variable objects but also demonstrates the viability of complex, long-term space collaboration between major spacefaring nations.

## Notable For
- Being a **joint mission between China and France**, combining resources and scientific expertise from both nations.
- **Multi-instrument payload**: Integrating four distinct instruments (ECLAIRs, MXT, GRB, VT) to cover a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- **Specific focus on Gamma-Ray Bursts**: Equipped with a dedicated Gamma Ray Burst Monitor and wide-field X-ray cameras.
- **Launch configuration**: Launched on the 50th flight (Y50) of the Long March 2C vehicle.

## Body

### Mission Overview
The Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is an X-ray telescope satellite classified as a space telescope. Weighing approximately 930 kilograms at launch, the satellite is designed for a service life of three years. It operates in low Earth orbit and is powered by two solar arrays. The primary objective of the mission is to detect and study variable celestial objects, with a specific emphasis on gamma-ray bursts.

### Development and Ownership
SVOM is a product of international cooperation. The countries of origin are the People's Republic of China and France.
- **Manufacturer:** The satellite was manufactured by the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites.
- **Operator:** The mission is operated by the National Space Science Center, a research institute based in Beijing, China.
- **Partners:** The project involves significant contributions from French space entities, evidenced by official websites hosted by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales).

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on June 22, 2024.
- **Time:** 07:00
- **Vehicle:** Long March 2C (specifically the Y50 variant).
- **Location:** Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
- **Identification:** The launch was assigned the COSPAR ID 2024-116A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 60088.

### Scientific Instruments
SVOM is equipped with a comprehensive suite of scientific instruments designed for multi-band observation:
1.  **ECLAIRs**: A wide-field X-ray and gamma-ray camera.
2.  **Microchannel X-ray Telescope (MXT)**: A narrow-field X-ray telescope for precise localization.
3.  **Gamma Ray Burst Monitor (GRBM)**: Dedicated to the detection of high-energy bursts.
4.  **Visible Telescope (VT)**: An optical telescope for immediate follow-up observations of detected events.

### Online Presence
The mission maintains an active public profile through its official website (svom.eu) and social media accounts, specifically the handle @SVOM_mission on Twitter (started in July 2017).

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/svom.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.svom.eu/en/le-consortium-2-en/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report